Published at 26th of August 2019 11:32 pm

Chapter 18- Imprisoned

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King Yan kept Wenqi in the palace to stay a few days; and the elder of Wen family, Wen Old Sir also rushed to Jinyang. Even though Wen Old Sir had lost a leg, but his temper was actually not crippled. Without a second word, he summoned his son home, and immediately applied some familial punishment, immediately beating him twice, only beating Wenqi's back until it was a muddy mess of blood, his skin and flesh splayed.

Fortunately, King Yan personally came forwards to beg mercy for him, and thus, the great general of Yan country was not beaten to death.

Wenqi, who was in Jinyang, was not just worried about the various generals within the camp, but there was another party that was in even more of a rush to want to know the movements of the Yan troops, and that impatience was like a fire driving their hearts. That was naturally northern Yu's king.

Daxi Qin would definitely set a trap saying that this time Wenqi made the decision on his own, deeply fearing that this time king Yan wouldn't be able to hold Wenqi back. If this time, the Yan troops truly invaded, then the consequences would be difficult to fathom.

Northern Yu's king, Daxi Cheng gathered all his officials to discuss this matter, while imperial uncle Daxi Qin submitted one additional scheme, "Yan country's Wenqi is old and tricky, with a very thorough character, and our troops had just suffered great damage, and is not well position to fight with them. However, king Yan's three sons have always been competing whether in the public eye or in the shadows, and the various consorts in the rear harem are even more competitive in their hearts, though they hide it on their faces. Why doesn't my king send out an emissary, bringing forth gold, silver, and precious stones, to confer with the queen. By passing his second highness's letter to the queen, claiming that because his second highness coveted the throne, he allied with northern Yu's armies. Upon seeing northern Yu defeated, he once again sought to come into Wenqi's graces......"

Daxi Cheng rubbed his beard, saying, "Imperial uncle is insightful. With some additional fabricated rumors, we can also claim that Wenqi had long conspired with his second highness, and intends on seizing the crown prince's position. This battle was just smoothing the road for Murong Yan."

The nephew and uncle continued discussing, and managed to think of yet another venomous scheme.

Not delaying the matter, Daxi Qin didn't trust the matter to others, but personally journeyed to Jinyang. He used the alias, Shang Ke, and bribed an eunuch of the Queen of Yan's, and met first with Queen Li.

When his second highness's letter was submitted to the queen, the queen was at first delighted, and then she frowned. Daxi Qin observed her expressions, respectfully saying, "Your highness, this is our king's gift for you."

The queen knew that she had lost composure, so she quickly cooled her expression, "What are you saying?"

Daxi Qin lightly said, "This time, the schemes of Great General Wenqi caused a loss of a hundred thousand soldiers of my northern Yu. On the surface, it is because General Wen used his troops like a god, but actually, what did he rely on? Actually, everyone knows the truth on the inside, the truly masterful one in this battle, was actually your country's second highness, Murong Yan, right?"

The queen's expression fell, and this small change didn't escape Daxi Qin's eyes, "Of course, his second highness, having such farsightedness, is Great Yan's fortune. Only, how king Yan will think...... and, general Wen has guarded the border for fourteen years, but never had done anything that was such flashy and violent. Does the queen know, why once his second highness arrived, he would suddenly have this type of courageous and strong move?"

The queen's gaze was frigid, coldly laughing, saying, "Oh? Why don't you go ahead and say, why he suddenly would have this type of courage and strength?"

Daxi Qin once again tested with his light words, "The queen actually does not know? His second highness and general Wen have long been communicating secretly, and this battle used the name of repelling the enemy, but my northern Yu never had the intention of invading, so how are we enemies? General Wen baited us into invading, could it not be because his second highness pointed out that the military merit would be glorious, and they schemed for the place of the heir?"

The queen's heart thumped, and Daxi Qin smiled slightly, "General Wen has been stable for more than ten years, and suddenly he would take such a risky move, one one hand, it is because he has Sima Zhao's heart, and everyone can see it, right?1 I've heard that back then, your highness the queen and his second highness's mother consort, between you two, was actually a lot of dissatisfaction. If his second highness ascends the throne, one can only be afraid your highness, mother and child...... heh, of course, my king also truly does not wish for Murong Yan to ascend, as a hundred thousand of my northern Yu's good and healthy young men, this type of blood debt, will not be resolved so easily. Seeing things as such, we actually have a common enemy."

The queen didn't say anything, and Daxi Qin knew that he had finished his words, and now no longer needed to speak more. He only had a smile on his whole face, slowly saying, "This little one came this time, also brought along some gifts, and though it is not much, would please have your highness accept them."

Chest after chest of gems were brought in, and the queen finally accepted that letter, "The words you want me to say, I know. People come, send off the guests."

Daxi Qin smiled, and turned around to meet with the fifth prince, Murong Qing's mother consort, consort Li.

Murong Yan, why don't you wait for death.

That night, the queen set forth a wine fest in Qi Feng hall, inviting the king to grace the event. After king Yan came, he saw that the whole ground was arrayed with summer flowers blooming and covering the area, and immediately his mood improved a few degrees. Under the queen's persuasion, he couldn't help but drink a few extra cups.

Seeing that his drunken mood was not bad, the queen finally opened her mouth, "These days, this wife heard some rumors, and didn't know whether she should speak them or not."

King Yan was actually a little bit interested, "What things?"

The queen passed him another cup of wine, before saying, "Yan'er went to the northwest this time, and had the opportunity to practice within the military, was really for the best."

King Yan nodded, "Consort Rong, went in and out of the palace ten times, and was both knowledgeable and intelligent, and she managed to teach such a good son."

The queen clenched her teeth, but she smiled, saying, "A few days ago, when the palace servants spread the news that Yan'er had risen in rebellion, this wife was truly startled and my heart was unsteady."

King Yan's expression frowned, "It was only to bait the enemy, he didn't actually have such an intent."

The queen also smiled slightly, with an expression of motherly love, "Yes, this wife also hopes that it is so. Back then, although Consort Rong had many accusatory words towards you, but ultimately this child is still your majesty's flesh and blood. This is also an unfortunate child, and before Consort Rong's death, she had still tightly held onto his hand. It's difficult to blame him, seeing his mother with that type of frightening and unfortunate method of dying, to ultimately not have any opposition towards your highness."

King Yan was startled, as of course he had opposition. That pair of eyes, when it was looking at him, it would always manage to fill his back with sweat. It was like that woman that had passed away had possessed his body this whole time!

Every time he called him father king, he didn't even need to use his two eyes to feel that mockery in his eyes.

Murong Yan felt a bit bothered, and got up to leave. Not feeling in the mood to review the memorandums, he then left to go to fifth prince's mother, Consort Li's place. Consort Li was of course welcoming, and the two of them consumed some wine for a bit, and consort Li softly and magnanimously said, "I heard that Yan'er has returned?"

Murong Yuan mumbled assent, and she smiled, ordering a servant girl behind her, "Today my older brother entrusted people to send in a same-heart lock, go and quickly get it, and send it to his second highness's estate."

Murong Yuan coldly harrumphed, "Since it was gifted by your elder brother, then just accept it, so what are you sending it to him for?"

Consort Li nimbly responded, "He is loyally in love with Jiang family's miss, and he quickly returned, so he probably hasn't prepared any presents. Giving him this gift, it's just fitting that he can gift it to his intended. This wife is at such an age, what would I need a same-heart locket for?"

Murong Yuan thought of the complicated situation between Murong Yan, Jiang Bilan, and the crown prince, and his heart was once again in a mess. But seeing the woman before him was like a flower, he couldn't help but hold onto her soft and supple body, "What, between me and my beloved consort, we no longer need the two words of same-heart?"

Consort Li's face was flushed with embarrassment, and she sat into his embrace, "This concubine's heart, has long belonged to your majesty, our flesh and bones have been all mixed up, our souls have come together as one, so how would we need a lock to carry the words of same-heart?"

Murong Yuan was mesmerized by a single woman's seduction, immediately pulling her into his embrace, "My heart, only you, this one person, understands."

Consort Li sighed again, "Unfortunately this concubine's Qing'er, whether in archery or horse riding, is not even a fraction of Yan'er's. Everytime I see Yan'er, this concubine truly loves it to no measure. He is such a smart and mature one, and just by arriving at the northwestern camp, he managed to accomplish such a feat. My Qing'er, ah, only likes to read some books, and spends all day studying religious texts with the members of the imperial library.

The needle that had already been flattened in Murong Yuan's heart, was once again lifted up. Consort Li shook her head, her face full of motherly affection, saying, "Just look at Yan'er; he gets along so well with General Wen, ah. I've heard that he brought Yu forces to bait the enemy into the city, my goodness, the enemy had a hundred thousand enemy troops.

General Wen burned Daji city, and that city was both tall and deep, and in the middle of the night, this consort just thinking about it would be afraid. If it wasn't for a hundred percent level of trust and cooperation, who would place their own life entirely in a stranger? It was only our Yan'er, smart beyond measure. Seems like he had complete confidence."

These reversed words, contained needles within, not only re-aggravating the need in Murong Yuan's heart, but even more, pulled out a chunk of flesh.

Of course he was completely confident, because if in this battle, the Yu forces won, he could use the opportunity to seize the throne. If Wenqi succeeded, he could gain military merit. That letter that was written to northern Yu's king, Daxi Cheng, every letter was filled with supplication, so who else could guarantee that his heart at the time, truly did not have a seed of this type of desire?

Wenqi had guarded the northwest for fourteen years, not willing to move recklessly, but once he arrived, he immediately had such great guts? The two of them had long plotted, or was it entirely done to set a foundation for him?

A few years ago, consort Rong had built connections all over the place, and it wasn't a matter he didn't know about. Could it be that she had really already spread her reach into the military?

His suspicion was greatly aroused, and immediately passed an order, "Guards, immediately send Murong Yan into the prison to receive his crimes."

The imperial gate immediately shuddered, and left to pass the edict. Consort Li was unnaturally confused, "Your majesty, what are you doing?"

Murong Yuan didn't bother staying longer, and turned to leave her Cui Ping hall.

That night, in Qian Yi marquis's estate, the eunuchs announced the edict in the deep night, and the imperial guard came personally to seize the person. Zhou Xin held guardsman Zhu, who was just about to unsheathe his sword, but was stopped by Murong Yan's gaze. He respectfully received the order, and then softly told Zuo Canglang, who was by his side, "After I enter prison, go with Wenqi."

Zuo Canglang pursed her lips, not saying anything. Murong Yan used a stronger tone, "Repeat it for me to hear!"

Zuo Canglang bit her lips, finally saying, "I heard it."

Murong Yan nodded, walking forward with big steps, and under the escort of the soldiers, he left for the prison. Zuo Canglang couldn't help but follow for a few steps, and Murong Yan turned his head back, seeing the starlight like flowers. Underneath the tens of thousands of streaks of stardust, the concern between her hurt, were like flowing rivers at his fingertips.

It caused him to turn his head back once again.

TN: 1. Sima Zhao was a Chinese historical figure during the three-kingdoms era. He was from the Sima clan, which later usurped rule of the Northern Wei state that had been ruled by the Cao clan, of which Cao Cao was a famous figure. (You can reference Dynasty Warriors). But, basically, when he had the intention of usurping/overthrowing the Cao clan, he had already taken de facto power, so basically all the civilians/passer-bys could already see what his intention was. Here, the phrase is used to say, that it's because General Wen/Murong Yan are plotting for the throne.

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